Professional Societies: A career-boost to discover…
Jessica Hedge & Natasha Rhys
Societies tend to be known for providing grants for conferences and research visits; the added bonus for successful ECRs being the demonstrable ability to attract funding when applying for larger grants or fellowships. The funding support offered by societies can also include discounts for their own conferences, grants for organising one’s own conference or public engagement activity, plus training in technical or related skills such as science communication. Many offer funding to support those returning to work after a career break, or to cover needs imposed by a disability. One former PhD student from the University of Leeds used her Scientific Meetings Grant from the Royal Society of Chemistry in her capacity as co-chair of a conference to “help subsidise the fees for many international participants wanting to attend”.
Society-run conferences frequently offer ECRs the chance to chair sessions (e.g. Microbiology Society) or even join the conference organising committee. As a member of the Biochemical Society you can apply to run a Young Life Sciences conference, for which you receive funding and help with organising it. Less obvious, perhaps, are the opportunities that conferences provide to connect with peers beyond your host institution and join part of a larger, supportive community. One PhD student in human geography commented on the “chance for PhD students to network in a research environment that is typically quite isolating”. Many societies also host networking events for members and opportunities to hear from inspirational, high-profile speakers. A postdoc in Edinburgh said that meeting David Attenborough at a Royal Society of Biology event gave her a “self-confidence boost” and “surge of re-enthusiasm” for research.
Most societies have sector-specific committees to develop specialised events and resources catering to wide-ranging member interests. The Institute of Physics for instance has over 50 interest groups, which focus on topics ranging from nuclear physics and business innovation, to women in physics and early career members. ECRs can broaden their leadership, initiative and teamwork skills by joining a committee and/or a special interest group, offering a great way to maintain or grow links with the academic community for anyone considering a career in industry. Several societies have created panels and forums led by Early Career members to support and represent this segment of its membership. Postdoc Dominika Gruszka, who founded the Biochemical Society Early Career panel, described this process as “highly rewarding”, with society involvement “a great way of influencing your immediate and wider scientific community”.
Societies play an important role in influencing policy and advising the government on specialist areas, for which they require input from members. Many societies host their own policy events and newsletters, and members can join networks to feed views into the society’s policy work. The Royal Society of Biology organises the annual Voice of the Future, where young scientists represent their society and question Members of Parliament (MPs) on the future of science in the UK, which one of this year’s participants described as a “unique chance to reverse the usual way the select committee works”. Societies also support events such as the national STEM for Britain competition, in which ECRs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics apply to present their work to MPs, and Parliamentary Links Day. For those completing their PhDs, some societies host members as interns in their policy departments and fund internships at the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (POST).
Society-led public engagement activities offer a wealth of opportunities to gain experience presenting your research to new audiences beyond those reached through your institution, both locally and nationally. Members can sign up for public engagement training through their society and apply for funding to run their own events. In 2018, several ECRs featured in a current affairs programme on how biology is ‘Addressing Global Challenges’, co-produced by the Royal Society of Biology and ITN Productions. Further opportunities to present your own research include the 3-minute thesis competitions held by several societies; can you describe your PhD to a non-specialist audience in just 3 minutes? The skills to do so appeal to all employers…
Perhaps you’ve spotted magazines such as Chemistry World, or The Biologist in the departmental coffee room? The purpose of these professional society-run magazines is to increase interest in the field by reaching a wider audience and provide greater visibility of individuals working within it. Many societies publish a number of their own scientific journals and some, including The Microbiology Society and Biochemical Society, will be offering early career members the opportunity to join their editorial boards or panels – a great taster for anyone considering academic publishing or keen to brush up on their reviewing skills. One postdoctoral fellow in Munich described her experience of reviewing for a society journal as useful in “keeping a finger on the pulse of what is being written about in the field”.
Amongst all the useful tips we received, one message stands out: the more active you are as a member, the more you’ll gain from your membership. Vishanti Fox, Careers & Continuing Professional Development Manager at the Institute of Physics advises, “As an active member, you will build your knowledge, networks, confidence and credibility”. So don’t let conference registration be the last time you engage with your society; it might just be just the career boost you’re looking for…
We wish to thank the Biochemical Society, Institute of Physics, Microbiology Society, Royal Society of Biology, Royal Society of Chemistry and the Early Career members who contributed information and their views for this article.
Conferences, meetings, symposia, roundtables, debates... what was once a 'conference season' increasingly seems to run throughout the whole year. Many early career researchers (ECRs) have the opportunity to take part in meetings organised by professional or ‘learned’ societies, and some will be happy recipients of travel grants, discounted registration fees, or prizes for their presentations. But beyond these obvious benefits, what can ECRs gain from society membership? As postdocs who have valued support from learned societies at important junctures in our own careers, we’re keen to highlight some of the best, newest or most surprising opportunities for all ECRs.
Professional societies are membership organisations that support, promote and represent a particular discipline, sector, profession or skill. They work to advance education within the field, cultivate public interest, advise the government, and influence policy. Societies also provide numerous career development opportunities for their members, whether they work within the field or have an interest in it. Many societies are now restructuring to enable more active ECR participation. We asked five of them: what’s on offer for early career members? Seven core benefits emerged…
1. Receive subject-specific careers support and mentorship
Many societies have their own careers advisors and digital resources providing specialist expertise and connections to people working in the field, within and beyond academia. Society careers services often hold online careers events, larger conferences, and panel discussions with people working in different sectors. Check out the numerous opportunities to meet potential mentors at networking, training and professional development events, plus any mentoring schemes for members. Members’ career paths are diverse enough to offer one-to-one support from mentors working in a wide range of sectors and roles.
2. Boost your funding track record
3. Increase your visibility and make new connections
4. Develop new skills by joining a society committee
5. Help to inform science policy
6. Communicate your research to new audiences
7. Get a taste of scientific publishing
Final thoughts
Acknowledgements:
We wish to thank the Biochemical Society, Institute of Physics, Microbiology Society, Royal Society of Biology, Royal Society of Chemistry and the Early Career members who contributed information and their views for this article.
